WCMBI - Chapter 233: Long-awaited Moment (Patreon)

Today was an unusually unfocused day. In the morning, Adella seemed determined not to fall behind, so I started my work late, and Lucia, who had been collaborating with me, disappeared suddenly upon receiving a message.

The schedule had shifted subtly, leading to frequent mistakes, and without Lucia to resolve them, it was frustrating. Nevertheless, I persisted in drawing the enchantment circle diligently when I sensed an unfamiliar magical ripple somewhere.

Halting my work, I raised my head, gazing toward the door. Though the rooms in the tower were mostly soundproofed, one could still sense the presence of someone outside, even if no sounds were heard.

"Shall I go out?"

Curiosity sparked within me, wondering if it could be Lucia returning. I intended to finish my work first unless I heard a knock.

[Knock, knock]

The knocking was measured yet firm. People within the tower seldom knocked like that. Although a certain assumption briefly crossed my mind, I soon regained my composure.

Approaching the door, I grasped the handle, and as I opened it, familiar yet unfamiliar eyes met mine.

They looked just like the eyes of the child I saw every day, but the warmth within those eyes was different, causing a tearing sensation upon our eye contact.

"Mel..."

Unlike his past firm and indifferent demeanor, his voice now wandered delicately through the air, as if it could vanish at any moment. I gazed silently at Ian, waiting for him to speak. He hesitated for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth.

"May I intrude for a moment?"

"Certainly."

I had vaguely considered that we might meet one day. Having heard Pedro's tale, I had taken into account the possibility of him coming to the tower. Therefore, his presence didn't surprise or astonish me.

Seating himself after I invited him in, I resumed my work for a moment. In a hushed voice, he asked, "Have you been living in a place like this?"

My workspace was not the most pleasant environment, especially for someone with OCD like him.

"I have my reasons.."

It was almost time for the child, who was napping sweetly, to awaken. I didn't want him to know about the existence of my second child. Although our connection had already been severed, I didn't want him to witness the plight of a girl, an omega, being ignored. So, when he mentioned Dia, my first child's name, I had no choice but to pause my work.

A feeling of rawness permeated my heart. Why bring up my child's name now? At one point, I had coldly rejected any possibility of keeping them with me!

"But, I've noticed..."

Approaching me as I glared silently, he lowered his head, inhaling deeply as confusion filled his gaze. His irises were shaking uncontrollably, revealing his vulnerability.

"W-why... Your pheromones..."

Seeing him struggle with his words, for the first time, I felt grateful that I couldn't smell his pheromones or be affected by them. Smiling warmly at him, I responded, "What does it have to do with you?"

As of now, I couldn't perceive his pheromones, and he no longer stirred any excitement within me. I was utterly free from the torment and entanglement he had once caused.

It was a blissful sensation, akin to soaring through the heavens, absolutely intoxicating.

* * *

Before him lay nothing but a mere door, yet the tension was so palpable that it threatened to drive him mad. With trembling hands, he knocked slowly before taking a deep breath.

A little later, the door opened, revealing the long-awaited presence of Melissa. He had worried that the side effects of her genetic alterations might have caused her suffering, but contrary to his expectations, she still possessed that beautiful and delicate face he yearned for, causing his breath to catch in his throat.

"Mel..."

At the thought of finding his Omega, his heart raced, and he felt a rush of blood coursing through his veins. However, her small face remained serene, unlike his own elation.

Though he found her silence somewhat strange, he assumed she was just surprised and momentarily taken aback upon seeing him. Thus, he took the initiative to speak.

"Excuse me for intruding."

"Certainly."

He regretted the simplicity of his words, realizing they lacked the grandeur he had intended. How could he be so inelegant with his choice of words?

Following her lead, he stepped into the humble and shabby room she had entered. As he glanced around, his face turned a shade of dismay he hadn't expected.

"Have you been living here?"

He scolded himself inwardly for even asking such a question. This wasn't something he should bring up to someone so precious to him. Although he expected to receive disapproving looks, he still stole a glance at Melissa, only to find her nodding nonchalantly as if it were a matter of no consequence.

After their brief encounter at the door, Melissa didn't direct her gaze at him as she spoke in a dry tone.

"Do you have something to say?"